DHS Child Welfare - Social Worker
Alamosa County
Child Welfare Worker Job in Alamosa, CO
This position provides intake and/or ongoing social casework services to families where child abuse or
neglect is present or suspected as well as youth in conflict. Assignments include the provision of extensive
assessment and situational evaluation, counseling, crisis intervention, resource mobilization and information
and referral around all areas of child protection.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
Conducts investigations of alleged physical abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect; determines if situation warrants
the recommendation of placing children outside the home; supervises placement of children and coordinates
parent/child visits; determines when and if a child should be recommended to return to their home.
Makes evaluation and assessment of need for services; provides crisis intake and/or develops long term case
plans appropriate to the children and family. Monitors progress of clients and modifies case plans as needed.
Provides individual or family counseling on an ongoing or crisis basis to children and their parents who are
experiencing severe problems in the parent/child relationships.
Makes collateral contacts with such community resources as law enforcement and medical personnel to
obtain additional information, coordinate services, or secure their assistance.
Gathers and consolidates background information to present as documentation for court hearings, as progress
reports in judicial reviews, or as summaries in facilitating appropriate placements.
Participates in staffing with school, mental health facilities, child protection review teams and other
professionals involved with the family members.
Attends court hearings, confers with lawyers, children, parents, witnesses, and significant others in
references to their respective roles.
Serves as information and referral source to other employers and to the public.
Provides a variety of ancillary assignments as needed including preparing and maintaining client records and
completing required forms and reports.
Position requires to be on an On-Call rotation for after-hours coverage. Hotline Screener rotation during
regular work hours to receive reports of child abuse and neglect.
Requires a working level knowledge of established theories, principles, and concepts of social casework
practice related to child protection. Employees continue to develop knowledge and utilize professional
techniques and concepts beyond the mere application of detailed rules and procedures.
The scope of work at this level is somewhat restricted. Incumbent is not expected to handle difficult cases
without consultation and supervisory review.
Critical decisions are made regarding difficult case situations only with involvement and concurrence of the
supervisor. Incumbent is expected to develop skill in the application of various casework techniques and
methodology.
Work is reviewed for compliance to procedures, methods, general conclusions, final results and accuracy on
a regular basis through staffing and supervisory reviews.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
This job has no supervisory responsibilities.
QUALIFICATIONS To perform this job successfully, an individual be able to perform each essential duty
satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability
required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the
essential functions.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a Bachelor’s degree (B.A. or B.S)
required in Social Work or other human behavioral science field. One (1) years of full time professional
social casework journey level experience required or equivalent combination of education and experience.
LANGUAGE SKILLS
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret policy and procedures, professional journals, or governmental
regulations. Ability to write reports, and correspondence. Ability to effectively present information and
respond to questions from managers, clients, customers, and the general public and courts.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS
Basic math and computer skills required.
REASONING ABILITY
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only
limited standardization exists. Ability to assess crisis situations and formulate treatment/action plans. Ability
to make immediate judgment calls.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS
Driver’s License Required.
Successfully complete state mandated Child Welfare Caseworker Academy Training and obtaining full
certification.
Maintain recertification by obtaining 40 hours of training annually.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met
by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may
be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to
finger, handle or feel; talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to reach with hands and arms. The
employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must
frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close
vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. The
worker is required to do extensive amount of driving outside the county to conduct face to face visits and
placements.
WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those
an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations
may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the
work environment is usually moderate.
This position spends 50-60 percent of time in the field conducting home visits, monthly face to face visits
with children and families, monitoring foster care homes or treatment services; and providing treatment and
counseling in homes.
This position requires some overnight travel to conduct face to face visits, training or meetings.
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